14 Undocumented Foreigners, Three Others Arrested In Limpopo For Illegal Mining

The South African Police Service (SAPS) on Monday revealed that the Vala Umgodi multidisciplinary task teams carried out operations in Limpopo, leading to the arrest of 14 undocumented foreign nationals and three people involved in illegal sand mining between Jan. 4 and 5, this year.

The 14 suspects, aged between 19 and 45, were arrested for violating the Immigration Act. Four were arrested in Thohoyandou, Vhembe District, and 10 in Westernburg, Capricorn District. Also, three suspects, aged 30 to 45, were caught in Apel, Sekhukhune District, for illegally loading sand.

"These disruptive operations, conducted in collaboration with the South African National Defence Force, targeted illegal mining sites linked to gold-bearing minerals, chrome, and sand extraction," SAPS said, SA News reported.

Seven people were fined for selling expired food in Tynmine, Waterberg District. The arrested suspects will soon appear in their respective magistrate's courts. Ongoing Vala Umgodi operations in the Bojanala Platinum and Dr Kenneth Kaunda Districts have led to more arrests.

Last Wednesday, six male suspects were arrested in Hartbeespoortdam, North West. From Dec. 30, 2024, to Jan. 3, 2025, 12 illegal miners were arrested in Stilfontein for illegal mining, trespassing, and violating the Immigration Act.

In the past three months, over 1,000 illegal miners, or zama zamas, have emerged from an abandoned Stilfontein mine, where it is believed hundreds, more are still trapped underground.

Last week, during the New Year's Eve address, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that focused efforts, such as Operation Shanela, have led to decisive action by law enforcement against organized crime, illegal mining, extortion, and other priority crimes.

Police rescued at least 153 illegal miners last month during an operation at the abandoned South Mine in Sabie, Mpumalanga. The four-day operation also resulted in the recovery of three bodies.

The operation involved a diverse team including workers from a mining company, security firms and various government departments like the SAPS, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Health, and the South African National Defence Force.

Last year, Mineral Resources and Energy Deputy Minister Nobuhle Nkabane promised artisanal and small-scale miners that the government would keep helping them grow in the mining industry.